Flat conductor cable connector

ABSTRACT

A connector for a multi-conductor insulated flat conductor cable tape having metal contact members which are respectively anchored to the several flat ribbon conductors of the cable, each said contact member having paired coplanar conductor-piercing prongs which are adapted to be so clinched together as to completely embrace and make electrical contact with a pierced segment of the insulated ribbon conductor to which it is anchored along a line which extends parallel to the longitudinally extending center line of the conductor. The contact member is stamped from a thin sheet of electrically conductive metal which is of a thickness much less than the width of the ribbon conductor to which it is anchored and since the clinching of the contact member to the conductor is &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;in line&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; with the conductor, i.e., lengthwise thereof, the connector may be employed for cables having very low center to center distances between the conductors thereof. Each contact member is provided with a terminal for connecting the conductor to electrical circuitry. Also, the connector is provided with strain relief means which prevents transmittal of disruptive strains to the interconnected conductor and contact.

United States Patent 1191 Worth Oct. 8, 1974 1 FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLECONNECTOR [75] Inventor: Sidney V. Worth, Flourtown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Continental-Wirt Electronics Corporation, Warminster, Pa.

[22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 387,486

Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner- Robert A. Hafer IAttorney, Agent, or Fir mvEdelson and Udell 5 7] ABSTRACT A connectorfor a multi-conductor insulated flat conductor cable tape having metalcontact members which are respectively anchored to the several flatribbon conductors of the cable, each said contact member having pairedcoplanar conductor-piercing prongs which are adapted to be so clinchedtogether as to completely embrace and make electrical contact with apierced segment of the insulated ribbon conductor to which it isanchored along a line which extends parallel to the longitudinallyextending center line of the conductor. The contact member is stampedfrom a thin sheet of electrically conductive metal which is of athickness much less than the width of the ribbon conductor to which itis anchored and since the clinching of the contact member to theconductor is in line with the conductor, i.e., lengthwise thereof, theconnector may be employed for cables having very low center to centerdistances between the conductors thereof. Each contact member isprovided with a'terminal for connecting the conductor to electricalcircuitry. Also, the connector is provided with strainrelief means whichprevents transmittal of disruptive strains to the interconnectedconductor and contact.

14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED 81974 sum 1m 3 PATENIHJBET w M3.840.840

sum 20$ 3 v FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLE CONNECTOR This invention relatesgenerally to electrical connectors and more particularly to connectorsfor multiple conductor insulated cables of the so-called flat conductorcable type to provide the same with contact terminals for electricallyconnecting one or more of the several conductors of the cable to thecomponents of an electrical circuit.

A relatively recent development in the electrical conductor art is theprovision of a flat conductor cable tape which consists of a pluralityof laterally spaced foil ribbons of copper or other electricallyconductive material disposed in parallel relation in a common plane andencapsulated in a covering of insulating material, such as polyester orother plastic, which is suitably bonded to and about the severalconductor ribbons of the cable. Such cable tapes are available in longlengths which can be cut into shorter lengths as required and may havean overall thickness of 0.015 inch for foil of 0.002 inch thickness andbe of any width depending upon the number, spacing and width of theindividual ribbons contained in the tape. While the width of the foilribbon for any given cable is generally on the order of 0.05 inch, itmay be more or less than this dimension depending upon the usespecifications for the cable tape.

Heretofore and prior to the present invention, the known constructionsof connectors for flat conductor cable tapes generally have had thedisadvantage of limiting the number or density of contacts which may bedisposed with adequate spacing therebetween in an inline relation, i.e.,with all of the contact elements disposed in insulated non-interferingrelation along a single line extending lengthwise of the connector, thisbeing due primarily to the fact that the connection between each of thecable conductors and its associated contact element was of an over-allwidth which equalled or exceeded the width of the conductor itself.

Having in mind the foregoing, it is among the principal objects of thepresent invention to provide an improved construction of a connector tofacilitate easy and rapid connection of the cable conductors toelectrical circuitry and various electronic components.

More particularly, it is an important object of the invention to providea connector contact member which is adapted to so pierce the foil ribbonconductor of the cable and be staked about segments of the conductorfoil in a plane which intersects and extends longitudinally along thelength of the conductor as to provide not only a firm and secureattachment of each such contact element to its associated conductor butalso an increased area of electrical connection between each of theconductors and its contact element for lowering the resistance andthereby increasing the electrical conductivity of each such connection,

Also, it is a further important object of the invention to provide aconnector for a flat conductor cable tape having contact elements whichare adapted to respectively pierce and be staked about segments of thecable conductors in such manner that the overall-breadth of theconnection between each conductor and its associated contact element isnot appreciably greater than the thickness of the electricallyconductive metal of which the contact element is formed, in consequenceof which the integrity of the conductor is fully maintained in respectto all of its physical and electrical properties.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide aconnector having contact elements which are of a thickness substantiallyless than the width of the conductor itself whereby the several contactelements which are respectively secured to the flat conductors of thecable tape may be disposed in closely spaced parallel planes extendinglengthwise of the cable conductors to provide as aforesaid an increaseddensity of in-line contacts per unit of length of the connector for acable having a very low center to center distance between the spacedconductors thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a contactmember for a connector for cable tape 'of the flat conductor type whichis adapted to effect a mechanically secure and good electricalconnection between the contact member and its associated foil ribbonconductor even though the conductor is of an extremely narrow width,whereby the connector may be effectively employed in conjunctionwith-cable tapes having only low center to center distances between theseveral conductors thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a connector for aflat-conductor cable having selfcontained means for precluding theimposition of any strains or'stresses upon the connections between theseveral conductors of the cable and their respectively associatedcontact elements.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear morefully hereinafter it being understood that the invention consistssubstantially in the combination, construction, location and relativear-' rangement of parts, all as described in the followingspecification, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finallypointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector of the presentinvention attached to one transversely cut end of a fiat conductorcable;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view through thecable-attached connector as taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view as taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, greatly enlarged, of a contact element asconstructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the connector as takenalong the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing in perspective the several componentsof the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view, partly in section, showing the press for staking thecontact elements to the cable conductors, one of the contact elementsbeing shown positioned in said part prior to initiation of the stakingoperation; i i

FIG. 8 is a view of the press shown in FIG. 7 after completion of the.stakingoperation withthe contact elements shown fully staked to aconductor of the cable tape;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating application ofconnectors constructed in accordance with the present invention for useas male and female plugs for interconnecting separate lengths of flatconductor cable tape, the connectors in this instance having includedtherein contact elements of a modified form;

FIG. is a perspective view of still another modified form of the contactelement; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the portion inscribed within the brokenline oval 11 of FIG. 8.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 6, it will be observedthat the connector of the present invention, designated generally by thereference numeral 10, is shown applied to a flat conductor cable tape 11which includes a plurality of coplanar laterally spaced foil ribbons 12of copper or other suitable electrically conductive material disposed inparallel relationand encased in a common covering 13 of insulatingmaterial, such as polyester or other penetrable plastic material. Theconnector 10 which is clamped to the cable tape cross-wise thereof ashereinafter described is in the form of an assembly which includes anelongated vvcontact-supporting plate 14 overlying one face of the cabletape and a coverplate 15 of corresponding length overlying the oppositeface of the tape. The connector is provided with a plurality of contactelements 16 (one form of which is illustrated in FIG. 4) which arerespectively mechanically and electrically connected to the several foilribbon conductors 12 of the cable.

As shown in FIG. 4, the contact elements 16 are typically formed asstampings out of a relatively thin but suitably hard and durable sheetmaterial having good electrical conductivity properties, such as.berylium copper or phosphor bronze. Preferably, the thickness of thestamped contact element is 0.012 inch, which thickness may vary somewhatsubject only to the condition that it is substantially less than thewidth of the conductors to which the contact elements are connected. Thecontact elements 16 are generally of a shape having a freely extendingelongated electrical terminal stem 17 to provide for the contact aterminal which may be formed into any suitable shape, as for example, aflat terminal as shown or either a male or female prong-type connectoras may be desired. The contact terminal stem 17 is provided at itsconductoranchoring end with a transversely extending, rectangularlyshaped part 18 which is furcated as shown to provide a central pair ofsharply pointed conductor piercing tines 19-19 and a pair of sharplypointed relatively short conductorpiercing tooth-like prongs 2020respectively disposed in spaced relation to either side of the tines1919. Also, the opposite sides of the anchoring part 18 of contact 16are respectively lanced to provide tabs 2121 which are oppositely bentout of the plane of the contact part 18 as shown in FIG. 4. It will beobserved that whereas the tines 19-19 are of a length substantiallygreater than the 'overall thickness of the cable tape, the prongs 20--20are each of a length such that when projected through one insulatedsurface of the cable they adequately pierce and extend completelythrough the foil ribbon metal conductor 12 of the cable.

It will be noted also that the tines 1919 and the tooth-like prongs20-20 are all co-planar with the part 18 of the contact and its terminalstem 17 so that when the contacts are nested in the connector 10, asshown in FIG. 1, they are respectively disposed in parallel planes whichextend lengthwise of the several conductors to which the contacts areanchored. Since the contacts are each of a thickness appreciably lessthan the widths of the conductor ribbons 12, the latter may contact part18.

be of relatively small width to provide for a low center to centerdistance between the laterally spaced conductors and thereby allow foran increased density of inline contacts per unit of length of theconnector 10. Preferably, the several contact 16 are disposed inparallel planes which are respectively coincident with thelongitudinally extending center lines of the conductors, but it will beunderstood that this is not essential so long as the contacts areuniformly spaced with reference to said center line with each contactlocated within the marginal side edges of its associated conductor.

The contacts 16 are frictionally held nested in the plate 14 of thetwo-part connector assembly 10. To this end, the connector plate 14 isprovided with a plurality of parallel slits 22 spaced-in parallelrelation lengthwise of the connector, each such slit extending throughthe full depth of the plate 14 and having an upper portion 23 of atransverse dimension sufficient to permit the free projectiontherethrough of the contact terminal strip 17 and a lower portion 24 ofan enlarged transverse dimension to permit the seating therein of theWhen the contacts 16 are respectively inserted into the several slits 22of the base plate 14 of the connector 10 as shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7,they are frictionally held therein against displacement by engagement ofthe tabs 2121 with opposite wall surfaces of the slits, leaving fullyexposed only the central pair of the pointed tines l919 and prongs2020.. With the contacts 16 thus fitted in the several slits 22 of thebase plate 14 and disposed with their conductor-piercing pointsextending freely from the plate 14 the contacts mechanically andelectrically connecting each of them to a separate one of the cableconductors.

This anchoring of the cable to the contacts while fitted in the plate 14of the connector may be effected by any suitable, means, preferably asby a press which as is'illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. With the plate 14and its assembly of contacts positioned upon a suitable support 25,which may be part of the press itself, and disposed with theconductor-piercing points of the contacts presenting upwardly, themultiple-conductor cable 10 may then be anchored to the contacts by thevertically reciprocable ram 26 of the press which is provided withsuitably shaped recesses 27 in its bottom end to oppositely roll thetines 19-19 about and into the top surface of the insulated cable tape.As the tines 19-19 and the outwardly spaced prongs 2020 of each contact16 pierce the insulated foil ribbon conductor 12 to which it is to beanchored, the tines l9l9 are so staked or clinched around the conductoras best shown in FIG. 8 as to bring the pointed extremities thereofrespectively in substantially coplanar engagement with the pointedextremities of the relatively short prongs 20--20, thereby pinching thinlongitudinal sections of the conductor ribbons between the staked-overtines and their respectively associated prongs. It will be observed thatthe clinched-together tines and prongs of each contact remainsubstantially co-planar in a plane which is normal to and extendslengthwise of the flat conductor ribbon and that the tips Each contactthus provides two longitudinally spaced coplanar areas 28 of clinchedelectrical connection to its associated ribbon conductor. Actually, asthe tines 19-19 slice through the insulated conductor cable from oneside thereof and are rolled back into the cable conductors from theopposite side of the cable for respective engagement with the prongs20-20 which have also penetrated the cable conductors, the foil ribbonconductor in each of the areas 28 thereof is compressed or compactedtightly between the conductorclinching parts of the contact, therebylowering the resistance value of the two electrical connections of eachcontact with its associated ribbon conductor. Thus, there is effectivelyprovided firm and secure mechanical connection between the contact andconductor with maximum electrical conductivity therebetween. Since theco-planar conductor-piercing points of the contact penetrate theinsulated conductor lengthwise thereof along a single line which isspaced inwardly from opposite side edges of the foil ribbon they do nottend to sever or otherwise weaken the conductor, but instead insure thatthe integrity of the conductor throughout the regions thereof which arepierced by and connected to the contact points is effectively maintainedto provide a good electrical and mechanical connection between theconductor and its associated contact.

With the multiple-conductor cablevtape anchored to the contacts 16 ofthe connector as above described, it

only remains to secure the cover plate 15 to the contact-supportingplate in covering relation to the anchored end of the cable tape. Tothis end the plate 15, as best shown in FIG. 6, is provided in the face29 thereof which mates with face 30 of the plate 14 with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced parallel recesses 31 each of a dimension toaccommodate therein the clinched over extremities 32 of thecableconnected contacts 16 when the two connector parts 14 and 15 aresecured together, as by screws 33 threaded into nuts 34 molded orotherwise provided at opposite ends of the connector, which latter endsrespectively project beyond the marginal ends of the cable tape.Alternatively, in lieu of a plurality of spaced recesses 31, the coverplate 15 may be provided with a single recess of a length sufficient tocommonly accommodate therein the clinched extremities of all of thecontacts 16 mounted in in-line relation in the connector part 14 aspreviously described. Upon such securement together of the connectorparts 14 and 15, as by the screws 33 or otherwise, the marginal sideportions of the cable tape 1 1 are securely clamped between the matingfaces of said parts thereby retaining in secure position the severalcontacts respectively anchored to the cable conductors with theirterminal strips projecting from the assembled connector 10 as shown bestin FIG. 1.

It is desirable to provide a strain relief for the cable tape and thusthe cable connector of the present invention is provided with aself-contained means for precluding the imposition of any strains orstresses upon the connections between the several conductors of thecable and their respectively associated contacts. To this end, it willbe noted that the plate 14 is provided along one of its longitudinallyextending sides with a depending flange 35 which is spaced from thecorresponding side of its associated cover plate 15 a distance equal tothe thickness of the cable tape disposed therebetween. The end portionof the cable tape 11 which is clamped between the connector parts 14 and15, as see in FIG. 2, is pre-set to a shape which, when the tape isanchored to the contacts 16, includes a Z-shaped portion 36 adapted tobe snugly accommodated within the correspondingly shaped cable spaceformed between the flanged plate 14 of the connector and its cover plate15. When the plate 15 is secured to covering relation to the cable, theZ-shaped bend in the latter serves to relieve the contact-to-cableconductor connections of strains and stresses which might be disruptiveof the connections.

Also, as shown in the drawings, the cover plate 15 is preferablyprovided along the side thereof which is opposite that which includesthe strain relief flange 35 with a flange 37 which overlaps thecorresponding side of the plate 14 and serves'as a protective shieldagainst exposure of the cut end of the cable tape to which the connectoris attached.

FIG. 10 shows a modified form of a contact 16a wherein its furcated part18a thereof is centrally provided with a single lanced tab 38 instead ofthe two end tabs 21 of the previously described contact. In all othermaterial respects the contact 16a is similar to and employed in the samemanner as the contact 16.

FIG. 9 illustrates still another modified form of a contact 16b whereinits furcated part 18b is provided with an endwise extending terminalstem adapted to project outwardly from one side of the cable connectoras a linear extension of the end of the cable conductor to which thecontact is secured. This FIG. 9 also illustrates the use of twoconnectors 39 and 40 each employing such contacts 16b having terminalstems which are adapted to be interengaged to form a completedelectrical connection between two separate sections 11a and 11b of amultiple flatconductor cable. The connector 39 for the cable section 11a comprises a pair of elongated plates 41 and42 which coact in the samemanner as the plates 14 and 15 of the previously described connector toclamp the cable section 11a therebetween. It will be noted, however,that the plate 41 is provided in its cable-engaging face withopen-topped contact-receiving slits 43 which extend across the fullwidth'thereof instead of vertically as in the plate 14, which slits 43are disposed in spaced parallel relation along the length of theconnector plate 41 to respectively accommodate therein the contacts 16bwhich are staked to the several conductors of the cable in the samemanner as those previously described. The cable section 11a so disposedin the connector part 41 is then clamped in secured position by themating connector part 42, which latter part is provided with a flange 44which coacts with the part 41 in the same manner as the strain reliefmeans of the connector 10 previously described.

The contact-receiving plate 41 of the connector 29 additionally includesas an integrally molded part thereof a laterally extending socketedpart45 for housing therein the aforementioned several terminal stems 17b ofthe contacts 16b which strips in the case of the connector 39 are shapedor rolled into cylindrical or semi-cylindrical form to serve as femaleconnector elements. The contacts 16b are held against displacement fromthe socket 45 by detents 46 sprung outwardly of the terminal strips 17bto present their free ends 47 in abutting engagement with an internalshoulder or stop 48 formed in the rear end of the molded extension 45.This extension 45 is provided at its outer end with one or more openings49 to permit insertion therein of male terminals for registration withand connection respectively to the female connecting elements of thecable connector 39 which is in the form of and used as a femaleconnector plug.

The complemental connector 40 for the cable section 1 lb also includes apair of elongated plates 50 and 51 which differ from those of theconnector 39 only in the following respects. First, the laterallyextending terminal stems of the contacts 17c are shaped or'rolled intothe form of male connector pins for respective insertion into andelectrical engagement with the female connector elements of theconnector 39. Second, the plate 50 of the connector 40 for the cablesection 11b includes as an integrally molded part thereof a laterallyextending part 52 which commonly encloses the several male connectorpins of the connector 40 and is socketed at its free end to receivetherein the molded socketed part 45 of the connector 39. Thus, when theparts 45 and 52 of the connectors 39 and 40 are interfitted one withinthe other they conjointly provide a protective sheath of insulation forthe interengaged male and female elements of the cable connectors.

It will be understood, of course, that the cable coupling arrangementshown in FIG. 9 is illustrative of but one of various arrangements inwhich may be employed contacts and cable connectors constructed inaccordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention.Also, the contacts per se are subjected to other variations andmodifications which may be made from time to time without departing fromthe essential principles or real. spirit of the invention andaccordingly it is intended to claim the same broadly, as well asspecifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. An electrical connector for an insulated ilat cable having aplurality of flat ribbon conductors embedded in the cable insulation incoplanar side by side spaced relation comprising an insulated structuresecured to the cable in transversely extending relation to theconductors thereof and a plurality of electrically conductive metalcontact members mounted in said structure in spaced parallel planesrespectively extending perpendicular to the flat plane of the cable andlengthwise of the conductors thereof, each of said contact membershaving an outer terminal part for connection to an electrical circuit orcomponent thereof and an inner retention part for retaining said contactmember in said structure, said retention part having extending from oneedge thereof .at least one pair of spaced-apart pointed elements forpiercing a ribbon conductor of the insulated cable, one of said elementsbeing of a length substantially exceeding the overall thickness of theinsulated cable and so reversely bent and clinched about the cable as tosubstantially close the gap between the points of said spaced-apartelements whereby the latter conjointly embrace and make electricalcontact with a longitudinally extending narrow segment of the ribbonconductor pierced thereby.

2. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair ofpointed elements constitute integral extensions of and are commonlydisposed in coplanar relation to said retention part of each saidcontact member and wherein said elements are of a uniform thicknesssubstantially less than the width of the ribbon conductor piercedthereby whereby the connector may be applied to a cable having a lowcenter to center distance between the conductors thereof and therebyincrease the density of contact members per unit length of theconnector.

3. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said connectorstructure is provided along the length thereof with a plurality of slitsdisposed in spaced parallel relation for respectively receiving thereinsaid contact members with the terminals thereof projecting externallyfrom one side of the structure.

4. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said retentionpart of each said contact member is provided with two of said pairs ofspaced-apart pointed elements all disposed in a common plane extendinglengthwise of a cable conductor pierced thereby whereby to-provide eachsaid conductor with a pair of longitudinally spaced coplanar areas ofclinched electrical connection with its associated contact member.

5. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said one edgeof said contact member retention part extends lengthwise of the cable incontact with one insulated surface thereof along a line disposedintermediate the marginal side edges oft'he ribbon conductor pierced bysaid elements and wherein said elements effectively pinch therebetweensaid longitudinally extending segment of the pierced ribbon conductor.

6. In a connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminal partextends from said retention part in a direction opposite that of saidpointed elements.

7. In a connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminal partextends from said retention part in a direction normal to that of saidpointed elements.

8. In a connector as defined in claim lwherein said insulated structureis provided with spaced parallel recesses extending lengthwise of thecable in which said contact members are respectively nested.

9. In a connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said insulated structureincludes a multi-slitted base member and a mating multi-recessed covermember adapted to be securedtogether with the slits of said base memeber in coplanar registry respectively with the recesses of said covermember and wherein a multiconductor cable clamped between said base andcover members with the several ribbon conductors of the cable eachhaving clinched thereto one of said contact members nested in theslitted base member.

10. In a connector as defined in claim 9 wherein one of said matingmembers of said insulating structure is provided with a depending flangedisposed in spaced parallel relation to one side of the other of saidmating members to provide an angularly shaped space between proximatesurfaces of the mating members in which to receive a correspondinglyshaped section of the cable whereby to provide a strain relief means forthe cable clamped in said structure.

11. In a connector as defined in claim 9 wherein said base and covermembers of said insulating structure are complementally shapedlengthwise-thereof to seal the transversely cut end of the cable clampedtherebetween.

12. An electrical connection comprising in combination an insulated flatcable having a plurality of flat ribbon conductors embedded in the cableinsulation and a contact member for each of a selected number of saidconductors,-said contact member being formed of a stamping of thin sheetmetal which includes a body portion having extending from one edgethereof an elongated terminal strip and from another edge thereof atleast one pair of conductor-piercing tooth-like elements having pointedextremities arranged in spaced tandem relation in the plane of said bodyportion, one of said paired elements being of a length substantiallylonger than and the other being of a length not exceeding the overallthickness of its associated insulated conductor, each of said pairedelements being projected through said insulated conductor with said bodyportion of said contact member extending lengthwise of the conductorwith the longer one of said elements reversely bent back into theopposite side of the insulated conductor to present its pointedextremity into closely adjoining relation to the pointed extremity ofthe shorter one of said elements and thereby encircle and pinch betweensaid elements a longitudinally extending narrow segment of the ribbonconductor.

13. An electrical connection as defined in claim 12 wherein said bodyportion of each said contact member is provided with a first pair ofsaid longer length conductor-piercing elements and a second pair ofshorter length elements all disposed in the fiat plane of said bodyportion and in spaced tandem relation.

14. An electrical connection as defined in claim 13 wherein said firstpair of longer length conductorpiercing elements are disposed centrallybetween said second pair of shorter length elements and are adaptedrespectively to be clinched to the shorter elements in embracingrelation about a pair of longitudinally spaced segments of the conductorlying in a common plane extending vertically with respect. to the planeof said conductor in parallel relation to the longitudinal center lineof the conductor.

1. An electrical connector for an insulated flat cable having aplurality of flat ribbon conductors embedded in the cable insulation incoplanar side by side spaced relation comprising an insulated structuresecured to the cable in transversely extending relation to theconductors thereof and a plurality of electrically conductive metalcontact members mounted in said structure in spaced parallel planesrespectively extending perpendicular to the flat plane of the cable andlengthwise of the conductors thereof, each of said contact membershaving an outer terminal part for connection to an electrical circuit orcomponent thereof and an inner retention part for retaining said contactmember in said structure, said retention part having extending from oneedge thereof at least one pair of spaced-apart pointed elements forpiercing a ribbon conductor of the insulated cable, one of said elementsbeing of a length substantially exceeding the overall thickness of theinsulated cable and so reversely bent and clinched about the cable as tosubstantially close the gap between the points of said spaced-apartelements whereby the latter conjointly embrace and make electricalcontact with a longitudinally extending narrow segment of the ribbonconductor pierced thereby.
 2. An electrical connector as defined inclaim 1 wherein said pair of pointed elements constitute integralextensions of and are commonly disposed in coplanar relation to saidretention part of each said contact member and wherein said elements areof a uniform thickness substantially less than the width of the ribbonconductor pierced thereby whereby the connector may be applied to acable having a low center to center distance between the conductorsthereof and thereby increase the density of contact members per unitlength of the connector.
 3. An electrical connector as defined in claim1 wherein said connector structure is provided along the length thereofwith a plurality of slits disposed in spaced parallel relation forrespectively receiving therein said contact members with the terminalsthereof projecting externally from one side of the structure.
 4. Anelectrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said retention partof each said contact member is provided with two of said pairs ofspaced-apart pointed elements all disposed in a common plane extendinglengthwise of a cable conductor pierced thereby whereby to provide eachsaid conductor with a pair of longitudinally spaced coplanar areas ofclinched electrical connection with its associated contact member.
 5. Anelectrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said one edge of saidcontact member retention part extends lengthwise of the cable in contactwith one insulated surface thereof along a line disposed intermediatethe marginal side edges of the ribbon conductor pierced by said elementsand wherein said elements effectively pinch therebetween saidlongitudinally extending segment of the pierced ribbon conductor.
 6. Ina connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminal part extendsfrom said retention part in a direction opposite that of said pointedelements.
 7. In a connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminalpart extends from said retention part in a direction normal to that ofsaid pointed elements.
 8. In a connector as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid insulated structure is provided with spaced parallel recessesextending lengthwise of the cable in which said contact members arerespectively nested.
 9. In a connector as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid insulatEd structure includes a multi-slitted base member and amating multi-recessed cover member adapted to be secured together withthe slits of said base member in coplanar registry respectively with therecesses of said cover member and wherein a multiconductor cable isclamped between said base and cover members with the several ribbonconductors of the cable each having clinched thereto one of said contactmembers nested in the slitted base member.
 10. In a connector as definedin claim 9 wherein one of said mating members of said insulatingstructure is provided with a depending flange disposed in spacedparallel relation to one side of the other of said mating members toprovide an angularly shaped space between proximate surfaces of themating members in which to receive a correspondingly shaped section ofthe cable whereby to provide a strain relief means for the cable clampedin said structure.
 11. In a connector as defined in claim 9 wherein saidbase and cover members of said insulating structure are complementallyshaped lengthwise thereof to seal the transversely cut end of the cableclamped therebetween.
 12. An electrical connection comprising incombination an insulated flat cable having a plurality of flat ribbonconductors embedded in the cable insulation and a contact member foreach of a selected number of said conductors, said contact member beingformed of a stamping of thin sheet metal which includes a body portionhaving extending from one edge thereof an elongated terminal strip andfrom another edge thereof at least one pair of conductor-piercingtooth-like elements having pointed extremities arranged in spaced tandemrelation in the plane of said body portion, one of said paired elementsbeing of a length substantially longer than and the other being of alength not exceeding the overall thickness of its associated insulatedconductor, each of said paired elements being projected through saidinsulated conductor with said body portion of said contact memberextending lengthwise of the conductor with the longer one of saidelements reversely bent back into the opposite side of the insulatedconductor to present its pointed extremity into closely adjoiningrelation to the pointed extremity of the shorter one of said elementsand thereby encircle and pinch between said elements a longitudinallyextending narrow segment of the ribbon conductor.
 13. An electricalconnection as defined in claim 12 wherein said body portion of each saidcontact member is provided with a first pair of said longer lengthconductor-piercing elements and a second pair of shorter length elementsall disposed in the flat plane of said body portion and in spaced tandemrelation.
 14. An electrical connection as defined in claim 13 whereinsaid first pair of longer length conductor-piercing elements aredisposed centrally between said second pair of shorter length elementsand are adapted respectively to be clinched to the shorter elements inembracing relation about a pair of longitudinally spaced segments of theconductor lying in a common plane extending vertically with respect tothe plane of said conductor in parallel relation to the longitudinalcenter line of the conductor.